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NAFETERS. PHDTO-LITHOORAPHER, WASHINGTON D C .tnitcd tratta ARTHUR M. ALLEN, 011 NEW YORK, N. Y.

Letters Patent No. 101,076, dated March 22, 1870.

TOY ROLLING CAGE.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Pats-mt and making part of the sameA To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, ARTHUR M. ALLEN, of the city, county, and Stateof New York, have invented a new and improvedfloy` Rolling Gage; and I do hereby" declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, ywhich will enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, in which drawing- Figure l representsv a section of my improvement iin s2ide view, the line of section being seen at y y,

Figure 2,is a vertical axial section, in' the line a; a', g. l. p Y,

Figure 3 isa peripherical view, showing the invention arranged for causing motion in a circular path.

lFigure 4 shows modifications of the cage, which enableme to dispense with connecting the motor-frame to the axis ofthe cage. p

Similar `letters indicate corresponding parts.

- This invention consists in a toy rolling cagc,vcon structed in such a manner that it can be rolled over a floor by spring-power, or by means of any small animal inclosed therein.

The cage consists of a cylinder of tin, pasteboard, or other light material, either open at the ends or covered withnettingi, and provided, at its center of revolution, with an axis, to which the motor-trame is connected.

In case spring mechanism is used, it may be used in connection with a toy-propeller for the purpose of driving the cage, and a mechanical figure may be added.

V.1: -In order to make my `toy run in a circle, I increase or lessen its diameter at one end or the other. 1f the diameter is the same throughout, or at its bearing`- jpoints or rims, it will run in a straight line.

Vhen the the toy is propelled by animal-power, or in case a powerful spring motor is used, it can be connected to another toy vehicle, as a train ot' cars or other toys on wheels which have no propelling apparatus, and the whole can be moved together. In order to provide for such a use ot' my improved toy rolling cage, I have connected with its axis a coupling t'or connecting such additional vehicle.

In the example ot' my invent-ion here given, l have shown it provided with an ordinary spring-powe arrangement and the necessary train of gearing mounted on wheels, one ot' which wheels, atleast, must bc fixed upon the axle ot' the last wheel in the train, and I will l Mobcourse,y but when it is intended to move in a curved path, I remove the rim B from one end, leaving the cage at that end to rest on. the smaller rim C, as shown in iig. 3. To enable mc to make this change .at pleasnre, I make the rim B and connect it to the cage in Asuch a manner that it can be removed at pleasure.

In this instance, I have made it with spring arms D l) l), which project from the inner sideof the rim B and catch over the edge of the stationary smaller rim G, in such a manner as to securely hold the rim B to the cage, unless sufficient force is used to force theI spring arms I) over the smaller rim G.

Instead ot effecting the alteration in the diameter of different parts of the cage in this. manner, I can accomplish it by attaching to the cage, at either end, a larger rim or rolling surface, so as to tilt it to the extent desired, or I can apply to the cage at one end an expansible rim, which can be expanded from the center outward, made substantially in the same manner as the ordinary expansiblc i-huck or other toolholders. v

The cylindrical cage A is properly strengthened, if necessary, by braces E, which serve also to form bearings for the vaxis F, on which I hang the ends of the coupling-bars G, which enable me to attach the cage to other rolling toys, as before mentioned.

The letter H designates a frame or box which coutai ns a spring andthe necessary train of wheels, geared together so as to communicate motion to the axis I, on which are mounted wheels Jv J, both of which I prefer should be fixed to said axis I, so that both are `dliving-wheels. There may be more. than two wheels J, or only one may be employed, providing it be made wide enough to obtain the necessary friction from contact with the cage.

The wheels J rest upon the inside surface of the cage, and they and the motor-frame H are connected to the axis F ot the cage by pendent arms K K, which are hung loosely on said axis, and are each made, at their lower ends, with a hook-shaped slot, L, which receives and furnishes a bearing for the axis I of the driving-wheels J, )as is shown in iig. l. rlhis connection ofthe motor-fratrie H with the axis F otthc cage serves to keep said frame in its proper relative position, but I do not coniine myself to such connection for that purpcse, as l accomplish thc same object by making the inside of the cage concave trallsversely or with inclinations that meet at the middle of its length, as shown in tig. 4, and then simply setting the motorv in the cage, but in such case 'said frame is made with three wheels, when it `will automatically maintain its proper position in the cage.

rIhe operation ofthe apparatus is as -followsz When the spring M is wound up, its tendency to unwind will sct in motion the train of wheels N and the driving-wheels J, which will roll upon and climb the inten'or ofv the cage so as to disturb its equilibrium by passing to one side of the center of gravity, thereby causing the cage to roll over to regain its equilibrium. The revolution and advance of vthe cage will continue so long as the wheels J and the motor-frame, to which they are connected, continue to climb the sides of the.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is l 1. A toy, consisting of a rolling cylinder, one end of which is larger than the other, as shown; and driven by a propeller acting upon its interiorsnrface, all as and for the purpose described.

2. The adjustable Bange capable of enlarging `and diminishing the diameter of one side of' the rolling cylinder. l

3. The hooked-shaped slots L in the arms K, in combination with the toy-propeller and cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose described. l

Witnesses: ARTHUR M. ALLEN.

W. limpiar,4 E. F. KASTEXIIUBnn. 

